Toy.



J. H. WEATHERFORD.

TOY.-

APPLIGATION FILED MAR.20,1913.

1,120,871 Patented De0.15,1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Vlfiznesses Inventor W WWW@/M/ J. H. WEATHERFORD.

TOY.

APPLICATION FILLED MAR.20,1913.

1,120,871 Patented Dec. 15,1914.

2 SHBET3SHBET 2.

Wi #2198398 "in Ven tor .fosErn H. WEATHEBFORD, or MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

TOY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 15, 1914.

Application filed March 20, 1913. Serial No. 755,623.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH I-I. WEATHER- rom), a citizen of the United States, residing in Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toys, of which the following is a specification.

. My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in toys, of which the following is a full, clear and exact description, such as will enable any one skilled in the art to make and use the same.

The object of my invention is to provide a self-contained toy, which will operate by the force of gravity and which will operate in a similar manner when reversed, t us making the operation practically continuous. I

accomplish this object by providing a reversible frame carrying a movable part or tumbler which descends by gravity to the bottom and which when reversed again de-- scends and so on ad infinz'tum.

In the drawings Figure l is aside elevation of my toy. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan on an enlarged scale taken on the line II-II of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a front elevation on anenlarged scale with the front figure or manikin removed to show operation. Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a similar front elevation, and a sectional plan taken on the line VV showing a modification. Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively a similar front elevation, and a sectional plan on the line VII-VII showing a second modification. Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively a similar front elevation, and a sectional plan on the line XL-XI showing a third modification. Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively a similar-front elevation and a sectional plan taken on the line XIXI showing a fourth modification.

Referring now to the drawing in which like parts are designated by letters of reference in the different views, the toy consists primarily of a reversible frame having similar bases A, A, top and bottom, the top when reversed becoming the base. These two bases are connected by parallel side frames B. From these side frames project shelves C spaced equal distances apart, the shelves on one side alternating with those on the opposite side, and in both cases pro jecting outward from the side frames only a part of the distance toward the opposite frame. These shelves are preferably made wedge shape, as shown, so as'to present top and bottom, faces inclined at equal angles to the supporting frame, so that with either base at the bottom the shelf angles and relat1ve locat1ons are the same. On these shelves s disposed a tumbler which by the action of gravity takes its way down the shelves to the bottom, which being then reversed becomes the top, the tumbler then working its way to the bottom again. I This tumbler, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, comprises primanly a shaft D which is placed between the SldG frames B andrests on one of the shelves 0, and which projects sufiicie'ntly be-- yond the sides of the frames and shelves to carry on each end some ornamental fi ure E preferably in the shape of an 'acro ator clown. A portion of this figure is preferably made as shown in the form of a disk or clrcular washer of such diameter as to prevent the removal of the shaft and figures from the frame. This tumbler so constructed rolls to the end of the top shelf 0 then drops to the shelf below and here the rotation acquired by the rolling holds it against the side frame A until the force of gravity starts it rolling in a reverse direction down that shelf. Should the speed accheck same by some other means. This can be done as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 by using a loop F of light metal or celluloid comprising parallel sides connected by semicircular ends. If this construction is used the shaft D rolls rapidly down the side of the loop and is checked by the semicircular ends which it slowly rolls upon thereby turning the whole loop over and allowing it as constructed ordinarily in this toy to drop vertically onto the shelf below.

A modified form of this invention, shown in Figs. 4 and 5, consists of the side frames B and shelves C constructed as above described'but having the tumbler E made a part of the loop F and having an operating shaft D with retaining flanges D which rolls down the loop F and causes the figure to move. heavy metal, while the loop F and the figure E shall be of light metal or celluloid. This idea isfurther shown in Figs. .6 and 7 in which the loop F is inclosed by a circular In this case the shaft D is of roller G, the motion being interrupted and the figures E slightly above the center of gravity and turns freely in a roller H which frames, suitable connecting disposed on said shelves,

rolls down the inclined shelves C. Lugs e, 6 project inward from the figures E E on the same level-as the shaft D or slightly below same and are so disposed that when the tumbler reaches the end of the shelf 0 and drops, the lugs e e next the shelf catch on same and cause the figure E to turn a somersault, the slight extra weight in the feet of the figures then causing the figures to again regain and hold their upright position.

Having now fully descrlbed my device, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States is:

1. The combination with parallel side frames, suitable connecting bases and wedge shaped shelves extending outward alternately from the opposite frames, of a shaft projecting through between said frames and disposed on said shelves, suitable figures on the end of said shaft adapted to retain same in said frame and means of checkin the speed of said shaft, substantially as s iown and described. I

2. The combination with parallel side frames, suitable connecting bases and wedge shaped shelves extendin outward alternately from the opposite rames, of a roller a shaft projecting through said roller, suitable figures on the ends of said shaft adapted to retain same in said frame, and lugs projecting inward from said figures, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination with parallel side frames, suitable connecting bases and wed e shaped shelves extending outward alternate y from the opposite frames, of a roller disposed on-said shelves, a shaft projecting through said roller, suitable figures on the ends of said shaft adapted to retain same in said frame, and means of trippin said figures,- substantially as shown and escribed.

4. The combination with parallel side frames, suitable connecting bases and wedge shaped shelves extending outward .alternately from the opposite frames, of a tumbler-comprising a roller disposed on said shelves, a shaft projecting through said roller, suitable figures on the end of said shaft adapted to retain same in saidframe, said shaft being above the center of gravity of said figures, and means of tripping said figures when said tumblerdrops from one shelf to the next, substantially as shown and described.

5. The combination with parallel side bases and wedge shaped shelves extending outward alternately from the opposite frames, of a tumbler comprisin a roller disposed on said shelves, a sha projecting through said roller, suitable figures on the end of said shaft adapted to retain same in said frame, said shaft being above the center of gravity of said figures, and 111 s projectin from said figures, substantiady as and or the purposes set forth.

he combination with a reversible frame having zigzag runways, of a roller disposed in said runways, a shaft projecting through said roller, suitable figures on the ends of said shaft adapted to retain same in said frame, of said shaft, substantially as shown and described.

7. The combination with a reversible frame having zigzag runways, of a shaft disposed in said runways, suitable figures on the end of said shaft adapted to retain same in said frame, and means of checking the speed of said shaft, substantially as shown and described.

8. The combination with a reversible frame having zigzag runways, of a tumbler comprising a roller disposed in said runways, a shaft projecting through said roller, suitable figures on the end of said shaft adapted to retain same in said frame and means of checking the speed of said shaft,

substantially as shown and described.

9. The combination with a reversible frame having zigzag runways, of a roller disposed in said runways, a shaft projecting throu b said roller, suitable figures on the end 0 said shaft adapted to retain same in said frame, and means of trippin said figures, substantially -as shown an described.

10. The combination with a reversible frame having zigzag runways, of a roller disposed in said runways, a shaft projecting through said roller, suitable figures on the end of said shaft adapted to retain same in said frame, said shaft being above the center of gravity of said figures, and means of trip ing said figures when said tumbler drops rom one section of the runway to the next, substantially as shown and described.

11. The combination with a reversible frame having zigzag runways, of a roller disposed in said runways, a shaft projecting through said roller, suitable figures on the end of said shaft adapted to retain same in said frame, said shaft being above the center of gravity of said figures, and lugs projecting inward from said figures, substantially as for the purposes set forth.

and means of checking the speed In testimony whereof I have hereunto 

